Namaste Sugar Land yogi and friends! We have a new blog and are so excited to use it to share thoughts, recipes, ideas, and more! If you would like to contribute to our blog, please email us at info@awakenedyogastudio.com and let us know what you would

Honoring the ever so lovely Beth, have you met her yet? She wears many headbands; Our front desk guru, a college rep for FIDM, an independent stylist, and an Arbonne Consultant. She grew up in Dimmitt, TX (about an hour south of Amarillo). She goes home to her husband Kent, and three spoiled cats Chet, Liza and Archer.

Meet Josh, a dynamic flowing yogi! Outside of the studio he is a private teacher that specializes in dyslexic and pre-school age children. He was born in Houston, and now lives in Sugar Land with his wife of 20 years. They have 2 children (10 and 14). He would like a dog but, not yet...

What are you currently listening to? Mainly I listen to good ole boy country, gangster rap, and speed metal, especially on the way to yoga class.

What do you like about AY Studio? I like taking different yoga classes at different studios, but I find myself more and more at Awakened. I really like the consistency in the quality of teachers. I like that I don’t finish most classes because I’m pushed to my limits. I also like that the teachers consistently offer modifications to accommodate all the different levels of students.

What is your favorite thing about the studio? My favorite thing is the extended community—class, social media, and off the mat friendships.

Meet Matt, our dynamic teacher of the month! He grew up in Meadows Place, Tx about a bird mile from the studio. He is a Customer Service Representative for an American Steel Company. He has no pets, unfortunately, due to being allergic to dogs.

What has surprised you most about practicing yoga? How strong our bodies are when we keep a consistent practice.

What is your guilty pleasure or food? Plutonic Jam pizza at Jupiter Pizza

What is in your fridge? Lots of veggies, some grass fed beef that I’ve cooked up, a bar of 88% dark chocolate, and kombucha from The Kombucha Company.

What 3 items would you bring with you if you went on a yoga retreat? I only need one. A Physician’s Desk Reference. Hollowed out. Inside, waterproof matches, iodine tablets, beet seeds, protein bars, NASA blanket, and in case I get bored, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” No, “H.P and the Prisoner of Azkaban.”

Have you met Sarah? If not, you definitely want to! She is the Grants & Communications manager for Fort Bend Women’s Center, which provides support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She also volunteers with the City of Sugar Land Animal Services. Along with all she does with them, she helped us put together our Get Down W/ Your Dog Event, and the Summer Solstice Soiree. Sarah was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland. At 40 years young she moved to Norway, then to Texas in 2013.

Besides yoga, what brings you joy? Dogs—my own and the shelter dogs I walk every week. There is no joy like a shelter dog getting out to play!

What songs/music are you listening to right now? Loving Foy Vance’s latest ‘The Wild Swan’

What do you enjoy most about yoga at AY? The sense of community, the friendliness of both the teachers and my fellow yogis, and the lack of judgement.

What has surprised you most about practicing yoga? So many things. Sometimes I’m surprised by what my body can and can’t do. Mostly I’m surprised by how huge the impact of yoga is across my whole life. Why didn’t I start yoga years ago?

Meet Heather, the Studio Assistant, front desk guru, babysitter, and yoga instructor! She wears many “hats” in the studio as well as outside of it. She also cuts /styles hair, and slings Kombucha. Since attending the studio she has awakened clarity of mind, acute focus, loving self talk, which has led to a stronger sense of self.

What do you enjoy most about Awakened? The diversity of teachers, their unique styles, and the various types of classes.

What is your favorite thing about practicing yoga? It is an appointment to check in with my body, my mind, and my emotions, then feed myself what I need.

What would you tell your teenage self? It is okay to stand out. BE HUMBLY YOURSELF! Those that are mean are fighting their own internal struggles. Don’t take it personal.

What would people be surprised to know about you? I went with CHI’s artistic team to style hair at New York Fall Fashion Week in 2014.

Meet Neha (10 1/2 years old) & Devan (7 1/2 years old)! These siblings have been practicing at the studio for 3 years! Both agree that the fun and caring teachers make the studio special. Outside of the studio Neha enjoys rock climbing (even though she claims she sucks at it, and Devan enjoys traveling (they are going on a cruise this summer!).

What about yoga brings you joy? N: I love trying new things! D: headstands

What is your favorite pose? N: Full wheel and headstand. D: Tripod headstand and aerial circle

What do you like about your favorite teacher? N: She always helps me with hard poses. D: She lets us have a little free time to try new poses.

What songs/music are you into? N: I mostly listen to uptown funk, 24K, and That’s what I like. D: That’s what I like by Bruno Mars.

Something weird and interesting about yourself? N: I have visited 15 different countries. D: I’m only 7 1/2 and can do a tripod headstand away from the wall.

Meet Sharonda, our tutu wearing student of the month! She grew up in Lubbock, Texas. Now she lives in Sugar Land with her two daughters. What she believes to be the best thing about the yoga studio is the community here. Since starting her practice with us, she has awakened her breath. To pay for yoga she is an ultrasound technician.

Are you a morning or night person? I am a night owl.

What is your guilty pleasure or food? Ice cream and a good story.

What is something that would surprise people to know about you? That I was in the army for 10 years. Also I ride a motorcycle and am in a motorcycle gang (per my children).

What has surprised you most in practicing yoga? My inner strength!

What would you tell your teenage self? Hang in there kiddo. You have a lot of awesome stuff inside. Plus you are going to be absolutely stunning with the most amazing set of yoga arms!

Meet Jamie, although I’m sure you have already!! She is our yogi concierge, and also teaches classes. This little nugget grew up in Stillwater, Oklahoma as an orange bleeding, “band nerd”. (Careful, not that burnt orange color!) She now lives in Sugar Land with her husband Allan, son Jeremy (20), and daughter Julia (19).

Besides yoga, what gives you joy? Happy hour of course!

What songs/music are you listening to right now? Current stuff and 80’s!

What’s your guilty pleasure or food? Wine, cheese, and olives

What is your favorite pose to give you energy? To calm you down? For energy, Sun A’s and Sun B’s. To calm, nothing!

What would you tell your teenage self? Take a chill pill!

What do you do when you have free time? Go out for dinner or drink with the husband or friends.

What 3 items would you bring with you on a yoga retreat? A beauty magazine, bug killer, wine, and mascara. I know that’s 4, but who cares

We hear from people all the time that they don't feel like they are "yoga people." Take a moment to view the short 2 minute video below and meet Bob. Bob's a biker, a tug boat engineer, a real tough guy. He thought yogi was for the girls. He started yoga after a serious motorcycle accident and used it to help his recovery. Now when he's in town, he's taking 3, 4, maybe even 5 classes a day! Find out how yoga is for you too. Start with our new student special - just $39 for one month of yoga. Click here to learn more. http://awakenedyogastudio.com/new-to-yoga

We hear from people all the time that they don't feel like they are "yoga people." Take a moment to view the short 2 minute video above and meet Bob. Bob's a biker, a tug boat engineer, a real tough guy. He thought yogi was for the girls. He started yoga after a serious motorcycle accident and used it to help his recovery. Now when he's in town, he's taking 3, 4, maybe even 5 classes a day! Find out how yoga is for you too. Start with our new student special - just $39 for one month of yoga. Click here to learn more. http://awakenedyogastudio.com/new-to-yoga